Thailand Domestic Flight Options

[Logan]

Airlines push for September 2021 domestic flight reopenings

Struggling airlines are backing a push to reopen domestic flights in September from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, a hub for low-cost carriers. Negotiations are in progress with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, and budget airlines to create travel and safety regulations to resume flights. Airlines are struggling to remain liquid as nearly all domestic flights have been grounded since July 21 when the government suspended domestic flights for dark red zones with primary hubs like Bangkok being included. Authorities hinted at a reopening on September 1, but it looks more likely to be September 15 at the soonest.

The chief executive of Nok Air explains that the blanket policy of grounding domestic flights has crippled the industry when really just a few dark red zone airports like Bangkok and Hat Yai were problematic. Now airlines are struggling to stay afloat and pushing for a reopening of Don Mueang Airport as they claim that many travellers are postponing or cancelling trips without the convenience of the budget airline hub being open.

• Nok Air has won approval to operate limited flights to U-Tapao airport near Pattaya to Phuket, Chiang Main, Udon Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, and was just approved to fly out of Phuket to U-Tapao as well, which allows them to have passengers in both directions rather than bear the financial burden of flying planes empty in one direction. The airline says they are adjusting schedules as some routes don’t have more than 40 passengers per day travelling. but they expect passenger numbers to slowly increase in the coming weeks and months. The airline and CAAT are even considering increasing Covid safety capacity numbers from 50% to 70%.
• Thai Vietjet also announced the will launch flights across Thailand starting September 15. They will avoid hubbing in dark red Bangkok and instead run direct flights between Phuket and Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Udon Thani.

When airports and domestic flight routes, travelling will still be harder than the pre-Covid-19 days. Negative RT-PCR tests and vaccine certificates will likely be required as provinces, especially those with high infection numbers, will require strict safety measures before letting travellers freely into their provinces.

[Logan]

“Dark Red” Interprovincial Transport ban lifted. Flights and Bus Services resume August 31.2021

The ban on public transportation out of “dark red” zones has been lifted. Following the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s decision to ease the restrictions, both the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the state-run Transport Company announced domestic flights and interprovincial bus services will resume on Wednesday.

While domestic travel from the “high risk” provinces, like Bangkok, there are some restrictions, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Natapanu Nopakun, who gives the CCSA report in English. Transportation services will need to operate at 75% of its maximum capacity. Passengers are required to wear masks at all times and the consumption of food and drinks is not allowed.

“According to the Airports of Thailand, or AOT, domestic travel will resume with some restrictions. Air passengers will still have to comply with the various restrictions imposed by destination airports… from the use of some tracking mobile apps to full vaccination certificates to show about the Covid-19 test results of the passenger.”

The Transport Company will resume with eight bus routes in the North, 10 routes to the Northeast and East, and eight routes to the South.

Thai Vietjet also confirmed its resumption of domestic flights to and from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport starting Wednesday and says its even celebrating the lift of restrictions with “Welcome Back to the Sky” special fares starting at 499 baht. In a press release, Thai Vietjet said passengers will need to show proof of either a negative result from a RT-PCR test or an antigen test.

Passengers need to have negative Covid-19 RT-PCR Test or Antigen Test result valid no more than 72 hours before flight departure time and to strictly comply with regulation of arrival destinations.

[Paul]

Flight Regulations to/from “Dark Red” Provinces

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announced over the weekend that starting tomorrow airlines will be able to take passengers between the 29 “dark red” provinces. The flights must strictly adhere to disease control measures. The announcement follows the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s announcement on Friday that the cessation of domestic air travel will be removed. In order to fly, passengers must show a certificate or a negative Covid test result as called for by the destination provinces.

The 29 “dark red” provinces consist of:

• Bangkok
• Kanchanaburi
• Chonburi
• Chachoengsao
• Nakhon Pathom
• Nakhon Nayok
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• Narathiwat
• Nonthaburi
• Pathum Thani
• Prachuap Khiri Khan
• Prachinburi
• Ayutthaya
• Phetchaburi
• Pattani
• Phetchabun
• Yala
• Rayong
• Ratchaburi
• Lop Buri
• Songkhla
• Singburi
• Samut Prakan
• Samut Songkhram
• Samut Sakhon
• Saraburi
• Suphanburi
• Tak
• Ang Thong.

CAAT Regulations:

• Phitsanulok, Chumphon: Download tracing app. 14 days in a state quarantine facility.
• Phuket, Krabi: Download tracing app. Show negative Covid result via either an RT-PCR or an antigen test kit to be performed by a doctor. Show a certificate that verifies the traveller has received 2 vaccine doses, or they were infected but recovered from Covid in the last 90 days.
• Prachuap Khiri Khan, Trang: Download tracing app. Show a certificate that verifies the traveller has received 2 doses of a Covid vaccine, or they were infected but recovered from Covid in the last 90 days.
• Phrae, Nan, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Chiang Mai, and Buri Ram: Download tracing app. Show a certificate that verifies that the traveller has received 2 doses of a Covid vaccine. A Covid test may be necessary on arrival
• Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Lampang: Download tracing app. Show a negative Covid test result from an RT-PCR test. Show certificate that verifies the travels has received 2 doses of a Covid vaccine.
• Chiang Rai, Songkhla, Nakhon Phanom, Ranong and Nakhon Si Thammarat: Download tracing app. Show a negative Covid test result from an RT-PCR test or ATK that is performed by a doctor. Present a certificate that verifies the traveller has received 2 doses of a Covid vaccine.
• Surat Thani: Download tracing app.
• Bangkok, Loei, Narathiwat and Rayong: No extra regulations have been announced.

The CAAT also says that all airlines can take up to 75% of their passenger capacity, which was previously set at 50%. They add that food and drinks on the flight are not allowed.

[Tripadvisor]

Domestic Flights only for vaccinated Travelers